Description

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Job Title: Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 1
Location: Multiple Locations - Wenatchee Valley Area
Closes: February 22nd, 2023, at 5 p.m. PST

This recruitment is being used to fill two (2) positions for Wenatchee Confluence State Park, located in Wenatchee, WA and Lincoln Rock State Park, located in East Wenatchee, WA.

These are eight-month seasonal positions. The season dates are April 1st (4/01) through November 30th (11/30), yearly.

___________________________

Want to join a great organization? The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse-and most beautiful—parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere We love what we manage and what we do. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

The Grounds and Nursery position is based at Wenatchee Confluence and may work collaboratively in the care of Squilchuck and Peshastin Pinnacles State Parks. A large part of the workday is spent independently and is a perfect fit for a driven, hardworking, and focused individual. Mowing, equipment maintenance, and assisting with irrigation repairs are the main responsibilities of this position with a focus towards team spirit and a great experience for park guests.

Duties

The Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist performs a variety of park's ground maintenance including mowing turf, aerating, fertilizing lawns, pruning trees, repairing mowers, and irrigation equipment all to keep the park manicured for the public's enjoyment. A well-manicured park contributes to the agency's vision of our parks being cherished destinations that all Washingtonians enjoy, appreciate, and proud support.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform ground maintenance including mowing, leaf sweeping, raking, turf edging, aerating, fertilizing lawns, pruning, and planting trees.
• Minor sprinkler adjustments and irrigation repairs.
• Perform routine maintenance on turn care equipment including mowers, sweepers, trimmers, and backpack blowers.
• Transport lawn maintenance equipment to various park sites.
• Diagnoses and order replacement parts for equipment.
• Monthly equipment and safety logs.
• Assist Construction & Maintenance staff with completion of projects.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Twelve (12) months of paid experience in gardening or grounds keeping.

OR

• Six (6) months of cumulative experience as a Park Aide.

OR

• Twelve (12) months of experience in special employment program (i.e., WCC) with a parks agency. A combination of experience (WCC & Park Aide) may be used providing the candidate has at least three (3) months of experience as a Park Aide.

AND

• A valid unrestricted driver's license (other than corrective lenses).
• 18 years of age and older.
• Pesticide applicator license must be obtained with in the first twelve (12) months of employment.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience operating and maintaining lawn mowing equipment and small grounds equipment such as blowers, string trimmers, and chainsaws.
• Experience in loading and towing equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

UNIFORM INFORMATION:
All career seasonal Grounds & Nursery Service Specialists are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Grounds & Nursery Service Specialist and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks' employee. This position will receive 4 shirts within the first year (2 shirts per calendar year after year 1), 1 jacket (per 5 calendar years), 1 baseball cap, a clothing stipend of $150.00 per calendar year, and a boot stipend of $150.00 per 2 calendar years. Stipends are intended to offset the cost of clothing worn in the workplace such as pants, boots, rain gear, etc.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. You must attach or embed in your application the following:

• 
  Three professional references, if not completed in the application process.

NOTE: Prior to a new hire, a background check, including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit - Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

This position is included in the non-supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/.

• Diversity strengthens the workforce in competence and ability;
• Celebrating diversity appreciates and values individual differences;
• Diversity serves an increasingly heterogeneous society;
• Diversity helps ensure the relevance of a state park system, its mission, properties, and programs to the people of this state today and in the future; and
• Diversity is crucial to our ability to serve all citizens.

The Commission encourages and supports staff efforts to reach out to people of all races, national origins, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, veteran status, ages, and genders who use the parks and who live in communities nearby parks. This outreach is to focus on engaging in partnerships that expand programs and services in a way that is meaningful and of value to all people. The Commission is dedicated to offering quality experiences to all visitors through a workforce and volunteer corps that reflects the diversity of Washington State.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at (360) 902-8565. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com .

For information about this position, please contact Jose Velazquez at Jose.Velazquez@parks.wa.gov or (509)664-6373.